nomad wrote:My mother, a devout Christian, has recently shown an interest in my study of Buddhism. She asked if I had any books to loan her so that she could learn more about what it is that I believe and practice. I have a few hard-copy books, but I am afraid that they may not be what she is looking for. I was thinking about giving her “Being Nobody, Going Nowhere” and “Who is My Self?”, but I am wondering if that would help her at all. I think that she just wants an understanding of her son’s faith and is not looking to transition anytime soon. Do you guys think that these would be good books to give or would you recommend something else? I would prefer to stay away from e-books because her knowledge of computers is extremely limited.

Thanks,With Metta

~nomad

I would strongly recommend the chapter on Buddhism in Huston Smith's World Relgions. It is succinct, covers both Theravada and Mahayana and really accurately and sympathetically explains what Buddhism is about. Al in about 30 pages. A great introduction.

My mother, who has never been religious, enjoyed reading Ajahn Brahm's amusing stories. She used to believe that all buddhist monks love and enjoy the gold at their temples as much as the Pope of Rome and the Vatican Empire, but the austere and simple living that Achan Brahm describes at this book did change her mind.

I have Old Path White Clouds and The Heart of Buddha's Teachings on the way in the mail. A light bulb just flicked on in my brain in that Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Monk, and I am interested in Theravada Buddhism, since the latter holds true to the original teachings (from what I've read). Also, Zen requires a teacher, and I don't have one.

So can anyone recommend a book, in the Theravada tradition, that looks at Buddha's life and Buddhist teachings? The book you would take if you had to spend the next 20 years in the wilderness, yet a book that is easy to read for someone new to Buddhism. I am still looking forward to reading Hanh's books, but I am a linear thinker. 1 leads to 2 leads to 3. Yet when you replace 2 with 5, or turn 3 upside down, then I get lost.

Last question. Is this something I should be worrying about now? I am assuming there are major differences between Zen and Theravada, and learning Zen without a teacher...well I really want to learn more about Theravada.

Thanks for all answers! And I hope the hijacking was okay, since it's related to the original topic and what was discussed here about Hanh.

The book you would take if you had to spend the next 20 years in the wilderness

What I would take to the wilderness would be different to what I would recommend to someone starting out on the path. For me, it would be:-- A translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi-- A translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi-- Visuddhimagga by Acariya Buddhaghossa translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli-- A Comprehensive Manual of the Abhidhamma edited by Bhikkhu BodhiIf I'm going for 20 years then I'll insist on the above four and not one!

Last question. Is this something I should be worrying about now? I am assuming there are major differences between Zen and Theravada, and learning Zen without a teacher...well I really want to learn more about Theravada.

This is getting a bit off-topic and should be raised in a thread of its own, But what I will say is that at the beginning there's no problem with becoming familiar with different traditions. In time, you may wish to settle down and follow the teachings and instructions from one teacher within one tradition.Now lets get back to topic!kind regards

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

I know you specifically stated "a book", but there was also this website http://www.justbegood.net/index.htm that made the rounds a while ago. It seemed to be specifically tailored to the task at hand if your mother has internet access.

Regards: AdvaitaJ

The birds have vanished down the sky. Now the last cloud drains away.We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains. Li Bai

Bonsai wrote:I have Old Path White Clouds and The Heart of Buddha's Teachings on the way in the mail. A light bulb just flicked on in my brain in that Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Monk, and I am interested in Theravada Buddhism, since the latter holds true to the original teachings (from what I've read). Also, Zen requires a teacher, and I don't have one.

So can anyone recommend a book, in the Theravada tradition, that looks at Buddha's life and Buddhist teachings? The book you would take if you had to spend the next 20 years in the wilderness, yet a book that is easy to read for someone new to Buddhism. I am still looking forward to reading Hanh's books, but I am a linear thinker. 1 leads to 2 leads to 3. Yet when you replace 2 with 5, or turn 3 upside down, then I get lost.

Last question. Is this something I should be worrying about now? I am assuming there are major differences between Zen and Theravada, and learning Zen without a teacher...well I really want to learn more about Theravada.

Thanks for all answers! And I hope the hijacking was okay, since it's related to the original topic and what was discussed here about Hanh.

Thich Nhat Hahn in his books (like the ones above) tends to present some basic Buddhist teachings that are fundamental to all traditions. Like dependent origination or what he has dubbed "interbeing," mindfulness and compassion.

As far as I remember he does not present much Zen or Mahayana in the books that you mention, but I could be wrong.

As regards choosing a tradition, best as Ben says to acquaint yourself with several different ones. Read, go on retreats if you can and most importantly practice!